The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-03-05
Philosopher Ben.


Ton Badget, was for long time the
subject for an animated discussion
among antiquarians. The researches
made by each side of the argument
70 establish if possible the particular
site, IN accordance with their know
ieage OF the matter, has resulted in
dennitely settling in the minds of all
what at one time was a question of
grave doubt.
II has been said that Franklin
himself stated to Mrs. Hannah
Orocker that che first saw the light
OF day" at the "sign of the Blue
Bal" which was on the southeast
corner of Hanover and Union street
The building on Union street was
small, two-story dwelling-house
and shop, in which Franklin prac-
uced the art'of tallow-candle making
with his father, and probably sport
cd with his boyish playmates along
the edges of the mill pond not far
distant.
According to ancient city records
Franklin's father occupied a house
upon his arrival from England, in
1888 to 1712, on Milk street. where
now stands the Boston Daiv Post
building, and its appearance is thus
mlnutely described; Its front upon
'he street was rudely clapboarded.
and the sides and rear were protect
ed from the inclemencies of a New
England climate by large, rough
shingles. In height the house was
about three stories in front, tfie sec
ond story and attic projected some
what into the street, over the prin-
elpal story on the ground floor. On
the lower floor of the main house
there was one room only. This
which probably served the Frank
Inns as parlor and sitting-room
ana also for the family eating-room.
was about twenty feet square and
mad two windows on the street; and
IL mad also one on the passage-way.
SO as to give the inmates a good view
OF Washington street. In the center
OF the southerly side of the room
was one of those noted, large fire.
places, situated in IL most capacious
chimney; on the left of this was n
spacious closet. On the ground
hoor, connected with the sitting.
room through the entry, was the
kitchen. The second story origi-
nally contained but one chamber
and in this the windows, door, fire
place and closet were similar in
number AND position to those in the
parlor beneath it. The attic was
also originally one upholstered room
and had a window in front on the
street and two common attic win,
dows, one on each side of the roof
near the back part of it,"
This was probably the birthplace
OF Boston's most illustrious citizen
OF whose history for the first seven
years we have but little accounts
excepting that upon the very dny O
his birth, Jan. II, 17O6, notwith
standing the bleak weather of tn,
winter season, he was carried acros,
the street to the Old South Church
and there baptized, from which fac
this site is claimed as the place o
nativity. The old house was ,
quaint specimen of the old style o
architecture, almost wholly passec
away, but cherished wherever retain
ed to the present day by yer,
large and public spirited portion 0
our community. 1t was burned
Dec. 20, 1910, but drawing ha,
been previously secured, and thu
transmitted to the present time
picture of this most interesting local
ity. The fire by which it was dc
stroyed was communicated to it bv
livery stable adjoining the estate. |
was as this time that the Old Soutl
Church had very narrow escap
from destruction. and owed its deliy
erance to the personal exertions {
Mr.. Isaac Harris, for which he re
ceived an acknowledgment of hi
bravery in the form Of silver test
monial.
He was not an apt scholar i
arithmetic in his minority, but h
rendered full equivalent in aftt
years for any apparent dullness {
intellect. The printing trade h
learned of his brother, but owing t
disagreement between them, Ber
iamin, at the early age of seventeen
left Boston and sought employmer
in New York City but not bein
successful there, pushed on to Phil;
delphia, and there found it.
lie attracted the attention of Go,
ernor Keith as being very brigl
lad. and hY nrnnlisinr vnnno Ernnl